HEART BOUND

WHISPERING DEATH

(Season 1)

CHAPTER 56

"Because of the attack, Li. We believe it was a witch...a powerful one. "Zach's expression turned serious, his eyes clouding over. Liora's eyes widened in shock, her face draining of color.

"Witch? What do you mean, why would they want to hurt me ?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"Damios" The moment the name left kalen's lips, the air in the hallway shifted. Heavy. Charged.

“Damios,” Kalen said again. his voice flat, but the name itself felt like a blade unheated. Zach who was about to get water for Liora water froze mid-step. Kai and Ryan turned, their faces going slack. The name hit the room like a thunderclap.

“No,” Zach breathed, shaking his head. “He wouldn’t. He couldn’t know about her.”Kalen’s forest green eyes didn’t blink.

“Damios deals in chaos. He sells poison, curses, and secrets to whoever pays highest. If someone wanted Liora broken without killing her outright... he’s the one they’d call.”Ryan swallowed hard.

“But Liora’s human. She’s not... Like us. Why would Damios—”Ryan was confused

"How are you so sure about that?" Kai asked

"I just know" kalen's voice was flat and straight forward. Liora stirred at the tension seeping through the door. She didn’t know the name, but her chest tightened anyway. Like her body recognized a threat her mind hadn’t named yet.

"Liora do you remember what happened, before everything...... I mean did you feel weird?" Ellen asked. Liora frown a bit but she nodded.

"it was a whisper...... I couldn't hear the words, but it was in my head" the guys were confused but Ellen's eyes widen in shock and Horror. Kalen's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to bore into Liora's soul.

"A whisper, you say?" he repeated, his voice still flat.

"Li... what did it say?"Ellen's face was pale, her eyes wide with fear. Liora shook her head, her frown deepening.

"I don't know, Ells. It was like... a presence, more than words. It felt... wrong." Kai stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Liora's.

"You're sure you didn't see or hear anything else?"Liora hesitated, trying to recall.

"No... wait. There was something. A scent, like... incense and something bitter."Kalen's gaze snapped to hers, his eyes flashing with recognition.

"Damios," he said, his voice low and deadly.

"This is not just damios Kalen...... The spell that was used on her is called whispering death. It's a forbidden ancient spell..... And only a dark witch can do that" The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Ellen's eyes were fixed on Liora, her face still etched with horror.

"Whispering Death? That's not just a spell, Kalen – it's a death sentence. Whoever cast it wants Liora's mind broken, her soul trapped in her own nightmares."Rhine's voice was low and urgent, cutting through the silence. Everyone except Kalen turned to the door and was shocked to see her .... No one noticed her presence all this while.

Kalen's eyes didn't leave Liora's, his gaze burning with intensity. She was practically trembling.

"What... what does it do, exactly?"Ryan's voice trembled.Rhine answered, her voice grim.

"It seeps into your mind, whispers poison until you can't tell reality from nightmare. The victim loses themselves, trapped in their own head. Death's a mercy at that point."Liora's eyes widened, her hand instinctively reaching for Ellen's.

"Is there... a cure, does that mean the pain would come again. ?"The room's silence was answer enough...... She glanced at Kalen who has become quiet. He looked back at her for a quick moment before leaving the room with out a word.

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Kalen walked out of the room, Zach and Rhine followed right after him. They had a lot to talk about.

"What did you find?" Kalen asked the moment they were in his study.

"I found something about the life stone. A long time ago Apha axel of the red moon pack. Was desperate to save his only daughter so he consulted a white witch and she told him only the life stone could save her. So he went in search of it, he found the stone bearer, killed him and took the stone. Twenty years later, the princess in other to save her beloved she gave the life stone him. She die one year after that..... No one hear about the stone or the princess's beloved "Rhine explained. Zach was shocked but kalen did not look shock at all. His face remain in difference. Kalen's cool reaction got Zach's attention.

"You're not surprised, Kalen?" Zach asked, eyes wide. Rhine looked curious too. Kalen leaned back in his chair,

"I've been expecting something like this. What else did you find?"Kalen asked ignoring their questioning eyes. Rhine pulled out some old-looking documents.

"This is a transcript of an ancient ritual.

The stone bearer can not use the power of the stone for her own personal gain, else the stone will give but take back. The life stone's power comes with a steep price. Apha's daughter was saved, but she died anyway, when she used the stone to revive him. And his pack was destroyed." Kalen's eyes narrowed.

"And the princess's beloved?" Rhine shrugged.

"No records, but rumor says he was a human but during Arokat's days of vamperizing the few humans that found their way into tenebrous. He was likely vamperized too"Rhine's words sent a shiver down Zach's spine.

"Vamperized? You mean he's a...?" Kalen cut in,

"Vampire, Zach. And if that's true, he's likely still alive. I think I know where to find him ." The room fell silent, the implications sinking in. Zach and Rhine stared at him with a frown.....

Kalen's words hung in the air like a challenge, his expression as unreadable as stone. Zach, still reeling from the revelation, couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity. A half vampire,human and the bearer of the third stone of the universe. that was a story he'd pay to hear.

"What makes you think that?" Zach asked, his voice low and even, trying to match Kalen's nonchalance. Rhine, sensing the tension, leaned forward, her eyes locked on Kalen.

"what do you mean ?"Rhine asked. Kalen's gaze didn't waver.

"I've heard rumors about a vampire who's been hiding in plain sight, living among humans. If our guy is who I think he is, he's been playing a long game."Kalen answered. He chuckled at himself..... How could he not think of this before now?. The stone bearer was right in front of him all along.The room fell silent again, each of them lost in thought. Rhine broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We need to be careful. If he really got the stone, he's not gonna go down easy."Kalen's lips curled into a cold, calculating smile.

"That's exactly what I'm counting on."Noticing the excitement in Zach's eyes Rhine rolled her eyes. How can be so excited to fight with someone with such combined powers?

"we are not going to fight him, we just want the stone.... You know we can't let who ever this person that wants to bring dekker back to life get to the stone before us" Rhine said, sending Zach a look. Kalen's expression didn't change.

"Good call, Rhine. We get the stone, we neutralize the threat. Dekker's not coming back."Zach nodded in agreement.

" so what do we do now? "Rhine asked..... This time kalen's gaze shifted to the window. He remain quiet for a while before turning to the two people patiently waiting for his response.

" Liora.... "the name came out like he was trying to make sure he got it right. Like he was taking the name for the first time." The pain will come again, so she will stay with me. Until we find a way to undo the spell "his words made both Zach and Rhine's eyes widen in shock.

"what!!... ?" He trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. Rhine's reaction was a silent scream mixed with disbelief and concern. They knew what happens to kalen who he suck in negative energy.

Both of them stared at Kalen, their expressions a mix of shock, worry, and a hint of fear. The room fell silent, the weight of Kalen's words settling in like a cold.

TBC